Fantastic Tips for Viewing Disneyland Fantasmic!

We are always leaping with excitement to watch Fantasmic! This Disneyland Park nighttime show takes our frog squad to a whole new world, so to speak. Just ask Aladdin and Jasmine, who fly through the fog amidst spectacular lights and music! Mommy frog loves the water projections while Tad and Lily can't stop talking about the fire-breathing dragon. Me? I'm all about the live action, pyrotechnic and strobe lighting effects!

Disneyland celebrated its 62nd birthday in 2017 by introducing an explosive reboot of this classic 25-year old show. Additions include Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, plus Captain Jack Sparrow and the Pirates of the Caribbean — it’s a skeleton crew. Fantasmic! features lighting, projection mapping, fountains and new mist screens. Enjoy this nighttime spectacular and its beautiful musical score with our fantastic Disneyland Fantasmic! tips.

Get Set for Our Most Fantastic Disneyland Fantasmic! Tips

1. Find the best place for viewing Disneyland Fantasmic!

With three water screens displaying state of the art projection (photos cannot do it justice), you can get a pretty good view of Disneyland Fantasmic from most areas bordering the water on Rivers of America, except for the edges to the very far right and far left. If you can see the center stage on Tom Sawyer Island, even from an angle, you are good. All floats and boats pass by all viewing areas. The areas bordering the water offer the best views, and the next best views can be found directly behind a low railing in the tiers that rise up behind the front sections in New Orleans Square and the Pirates of the Caribbean bridge. If you are directly behind a planter box railing, your kids will have a great view without people standing directly in front of them. There is a small viewing area in front of the Royal Street Veranda restaurant. That may fill in later than the other locations. Most of the closest and lowest sections that are centered are all reserved for people with restaurant vouchers and FASTPASSes, although we have gotten into lower left (when facing water) waterfront section on standby. Be aware that it is possible to get wet in these sections!

2. Check the Calendar for show times

Some nights there are two shows; other nights have one. There are even many weeknights during the school year with no show at all, so always check the entertainment calendar and plan accordingly. Fantasmic! does not run during Mickey’s Halloween party, so during September and all of October, Fantasmic! may run on just Saturday and Sunday nights. If you have a choice of show times, it's best to decide in advance which show you want to see. The early show is much more crowded and requires planning. The advantage to seeing a 9 p.m. show is that the Disneyland fireworks go off at 9:30 p.m., just three minutes after Fantasmic! ends, so you can stay in place to view the fireworks. The later show is less crowded and easier to hop in place for a good standby viewing location especially just after the fireworks end. If you must see the fireworks at the Castle, then you can head straight to Fantasmic! after the fireworks end and claim your spot.

3. Decide whether to FASTPASS or not to FASTPASS

Disneyland offers FASTPASS for Fantasmic!, but the park also offers quite a bit of standby viewing. There are pros and cons to using FASTPASS. A FASTPASS guarantees you will see the show in a spot close to the water. However, the viewing section is very crowded and is a bit off to the right side. If using FASTPASS, arrive super early if you want to be at the front of the section, on the rail and closest to center. Being crammed in like sardines behind taller people is no fun! FASTPASS saves you about an hour in the evening compared to getting a good standby location, since you will have to arrive early even with a FASTPASS to get the best spot. If you want a FASTPASS, you'll need to collect one before they run out in the morning, which can make for a very long day in the park for small tadpoles.

The good news is that you can obtain your next attraction FASTPASS right away since Fantasmic! is disconnected from the ride FASTPASS system. So it does not prevent you from getting another FASTPASS. If you send one person with the tickets to collect FASTPASSes, keep in mind that all group members must have entered the park and activated their tickets to be able to get a FASTPASS. Sorry, you can’t leave the tadpoles asleep in bed while a parent obtains all the FASTPASSes. First-come, first-served, or as we always say, the early frog gets the flies! It’s going to be a long day for the froglets, so you’d better plan a nap or pool time in the middle to get them through until show time.

There are a few things to know about using FASTPASS for Fantasmic! You do not have a choice of show times. They will distribute all tickets for the first show and then start distributing for the second show. You cannot hold a ticket for both, so choose wisely! When exactly the switchover occurs can vary on how many people are acquiring FASTPASSes that day. It could be in the morning (most likely) or even early afternoon. Just keep checking if you really want the second show (although, see Disneyland Fantasmic! tip #4 below if you are considering the late show). Shows like Fantasmic! and World of Color in Disney California Adventure still use the paper ticket FASTPASSes and cannot be obtained through Disneyland MaxPass (a paid option of reserving FASTPASSes through your smartphone). The FASTPASS machines are located in Frontierland near Frontier Landing, which is where you will return with your FASTPASS ticket before show time. Hold on to that ticket!

Here's the bottom line on FASTPASS for Fantasmic!: If you return to watch the show and are really unhappy with your location in the crowd, you can feel free to scout out a better stand-by spot. Having FASTPASS just gives you that extra security of a guaranteed area.

4. Know how to use stand-by viewing areas

There are a number of stand-by viewing areas, and we think they offer a pretty decent view of the show. There are multiple standing-only, stand-by areas for viewing, although the one at the water on the left side of the dock is seated on the ground. Most of the viewing areas are a tier or two behind and above the Fantasmic! dining package viewing areas in front of New Orleans Square. They run from Pirates of the Caribbean to the Haunted Mansion. If you get there early enough, you can have a great, unobstructed view of the action. The bridge by Pirates of the Caribbean is also a stand-by viewing area that gets you a little higher up and is perfectly centered. If you want to catch the first show, arrive two hours early and claim a spot behind a planter railing or bridge railing for the best view. You can usually get a pretty decent view an hour before show time but you are not likely to get front row on a railing at that point. You can always ask a Cast Member about viewing areas if you aren't sure.

Just a couple of minutes after the 9 p.m. Fantasmic! ends, the Disneyland fireworks show begins. We found the areas across from the French Market entrance sign (second tier down on the railing) all the way to the Pirates bridge to have pretty good viewing for both fireworks and Fantasmic! We've hopped to those locations right after the first show ended and watched the 9:30 p.m. fireworks show from there. After the audience members from the first Fantasmic! show leave after fireworks, we get a jump on their railing location for the 10:30 p.m. show. Sometimes they leave before fireworks and we get a railing spot and unobstructed view for both the fireworks and the second Fantasmic! show. #Bonus We also feel that the waterfront stand-by area was pretty close to the action and did not feel that it was too far to the side, but that may vary per night and crowd level. They only open that up, say about 20 to 30 minutes before show time once they have seated the guests with restaurant vouchers. It can be easier to claim a seated spot (near Pirate’s Lair dock) after the fireworks. If you have a stroller, they will have you park it at the back of the viewing area of this seated section.

There is a handicapped viewing area, but we think it's the worst spot. It is all the way over to the right, near Frontier Landing. If you use a wheelchair, we recommend scouting out a location in front of a planter box early so you can see from a more central area.

5. Get a dinner package for Disneyland Fantasmic! reserved seating

If you know you are not going to be at the park first thing in the morning for a FASTPASS or are not one to scout out and camp out for the perfect spot, then another choice is to reserve a no-stress Fantasmic! dining package that provides you with a voucher for a reserved viewing section. The Fantasmic! dining packages require guests to be seated on the ground. Wheelchair and ECV users will be seated at the back of the section along with strollers but those people will be above the people in front of them and will still have a good view.

You can make reservations through Disney Dining. Choices include three-course prix fixe meals at table-service restaurants such as Blue Bayou and River Belle Terrace, or on-the-go packages from Hungry Bear. The three areas are in the middle and on the water. The Blue Bayou section is in the middle, Hungry Bear is immediately to the left (facing the water) and River Belle Terrace is to the immediate right. But all are pretty central and all subject to possible water spray. The music and floats are timed to give this area the best show experience (i.e., the music will match the character you are seeing in front of you when you are in those center sections). If you prefer to dine while watching the show, you can upgrade your package at River Belle Terrace for an additional $25 per adult/$15 per child for the 8 p.m. seating. You can stay at your outside table and watch the 9 p.m. show. For this package, call (714) 781-3463. If you go with any dining package, there will be no refunds due to weather, show cancellation or technical difficulties. It’s best to have a reservation, but sometimes the restaurants will have walk-in availability for a voucher for the 10:30 p.m. show’s viewing area, so you can always ask in the park.

Many of you want to know when to book your dining in order to get a particular Fantasmic! viewing. For the 9 p.m. show, book your dining between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The earlier the better. For this seating time, you'll get the front center seated section. We have seen it FULL at 8 p.m. so that’s why we suggest dining early. Savor your meal, then get ready to line up about 10 minutes before your arrival time near the Pirate’s Lair dock. For the 10 p.m. or 10:30 p.m show, dine between 7:35 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Again, dine early so you have time to get in place for the show.

6. Watch the Disneyland fireworks at Rivers of America

It can be challenging to see all of the nighttime entertainment at Disneyland, but you can hit two birds with one stone by watching the Disneyland fireworks from your Fantasmic! viewing location. We believe Rivers of America is one of the best places to view Disneyland fireworks. They play the music and show the projection on huge water screens. You can stay in place after the 9 p.m. show to see the fireworks about three minutes after it ends, or watch the show in the vicinity and then jump in place as the first viewers move out after fireworks.

7. See the second Disneyland Fantasmic! show

Seeing the later Disneyland Fantasmic! show can be easier to get a closer, stand-by viewing location. Many of the FASTPASS holders for the last show may have gotten tired and gone home. If there is space left closer to the water due to no-shows, a Cast Member might allow you to move in behind them just before the show. Seeing the late show is the easiest way to get a good view without investing as much wait time.

We are sure you are hopping with excitement to see Fantasmic! Just plan ahead for when you want to see the show and decide if you are willing to wait it out, obtain a FASTPASS in the morning or spring for a dining package voucher. Have a tip we didn't mention? Share it below!

Thanks for the great info! Question about the dining package at River Belle and the $25 upgrade to be seated with your dinner for the first show. Is that a good spot to watch from. For some reason I'm picturing obstructed views by passerbys. Do people walking by obstruct the views of those seated with that $25 upgrade?

I'm confused, is there one ticket for California Adventure (Pixar fest/Pixar pier) or do you need a park hopper to be able to see all? Also, is there any nighttime parade/fireworks at California adventure, the light show is off?

If we do the 2nd Hungry Bear show in August, how early do we need to arrive for the 2nd show to get good spots? Would we have time to watch the fireworks at 9:30 and head over for the 10:30 Fantasmic and still get front row spots? If not, can we move into the Hungry Bear spots as soon as the first Fantasmic show ends? Thank you!

So this is our first trip to DW. We have fast passes that say arrive between 8:20 and 8:35. I guess this is the first showing??? So I guess we have the front area and can sit on the ground. And guess this is first come first served. Also what should we do afterwards? Where should we be for fireworks? I have a 14 and 6 year old. So I want them to be able to see. Thank you in advance.

Yes, that is the first showing! Spots are first come, first served so get there early if you want to secure a spot at the front of the FASTPASS viewing section. We recommend staying put after the show to see the fireworks!

There is no balcony viewing area above the crowd (unless you happen to have friends who can get you into Club 33, which has a small balcony off the dining room.) You can watch from the stand-by area on the bridge by Pirates of the Caribbean. You can dine and watch at River Belle Terrace, but it is not much of a rise. You can dine by the Stage Door Cafe, but it is off to the side and may have obstructions. You are better off getting a dining package that gets you down in front or arrive early for a good stand-by spot. We like the areas to the left of the dining viewing areas or standing behind a planter box on a tier behind the crowd.

You Frogs are the best! I always check with you before a trip and always get great advice! Just to confirm, you said the RB Terrace view (from the terrace) is probably not as good as the RBT reserved area? I don't have kids, don't mind the extra cost, and would love to avoid the early arrival for the front row, but also want the very best view or close to it. Also, can I stay at my reserved seating down by the water for the fireworks?

The RBT is fine, but a little farther from the action! You can see most of the show, but may have some trouble viewing some floats on the water. It is elevated above the crowd, but is still behind the crowd. It is pretty central to the show. The reserved viewing area will be closer to the water. You should still arrive early to that area, even with a voucher because the first voucher holders to arrive get the best spots. After the first show ends, people can stay in place to watch the fireworks, which begin about 3 minutes after Fantasmic! ends.

I'm wondering if there is a updated version or maybe more detailed( unless I missed it, in which case in sorry) : We got the 'Mark Twain viewing area'. It was really tuff with the kids because that area is standing room only. If I had known that, I might have just tried for a better area the next night.

All floats and boats pass by all of the viewing areas! So if you're able to grab a spot where you can see the center stage on Tom Sawyer Island, then you'll be good. The areas bordering the water on Rivers of America offer the best viewing spots for everything in the show.

Yes, you'll be able to see the fireworks from your seats. In fact, it's wise to stay where you are after the 9:00 p.m. show of Fantasmic! because it'll be hectic trying to get to the Castle. Stay where you are and enjoy the fireworks from there!

Chairs are only available for special circumstances. If this is the case for you, feel free to chat with a Cast Member before the show! Fast Passes and dining packages offer standing room or ground seating.

On the Disneyland website it says that Fastpasses for the first show are issued first and the second show is issued after the Fastpasses for the 1st show run out. Any tricks to getting Fastpasses for the 2nd show, other than a dining reservation?

I am sitting at the rail for Fantasmic this evening - 9:00 show and got the FP at the Blue Bayou - little expensive, but works well for a good dinner and good seats. To sit at the rail, arrive at the viewing entrance by 7:45 you will start to be let in the actual viewing area at approximately 8:05. It is sitting on the ground (Blue Bayou provided sitting pads) and you'll need to claim your space in a open seating fashion - if you arrive by 7:45, you should get seating in the first or second row from the rail. Bring a beach towel or something to cover your party as you will get wet from the water screens used in the show - have fun!

Darrell, do you know if they allow standing at the very back of that section? Will be going with my father in a few months but he isn't able to sit on the ground and it sounds like they want everyone sitting. Would he be able to stand back by the folks in the wheelchairs, or would he still be blocking someone's view and asked to sit?

It depends on when you're going. If it's after August 20, then see it in place of Main Street Electrical Parade. If it's before, we recommend the later show, usually at 10:30 p.m. Snag that Fastpass first, then start on the park plan.

Wondering how the view is for River Belle Terrace premium seating at 8pm...I already have a reservation. Would you recommend that one or sitting on the ground closer to the front? We will be traveling with three kids under age 11...not sure how they will do sitting on the ground for an hour and a half waiting for the show to start. But, I'm also worried they won't have a very good view of the River from that far back. It's been 5 years since we have been there and probably 20 years since I have seen any evening shows! What do you think? Thanks!

It seems the premium seating for River Belle Terrace is far away from the show. If you're concerned about your kids having a great view of the show and being close to the action, we recommend the regular reserved seating near the front by the river.